One pot creamy tuna pasta
The whānau will love this cheesy one pot pasta. Perfect for a midweek meal, it’s packed with veges and super easy to make.
                        Ingredients
Method
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon oil
 - 1 onion, finely diced
 - 2 garlic cloves, finely diced or grated or 1 teaspoon minced garlic
 - 300g dry pasta*
 - 250ml (1 cup) reduced salt chicken stock*
 - 3 cups water
 - 1/3 pumpkin *, grated
 - 1 broccoli, stalk and florets roughly chopped
 - 300g (2 cups) frozen peas*
 - 150g frozen spinach*
 - 425g canned tuna in spring water, drained
 - Pepper, to taste
 - 125g sour cream
 - 100g cheese*, grated
 
* These ingredients are shared with other recipes from the weekly meal planner.
Method
- Heat oil in a large pot on the stove over medium-high heat.
 - Sauté onions until softened, add garlic and fry until fragrant.
 - Add pasta, stock, and water. Place a lid on the pot, turn the heat to high and bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally. Adjust heat if it is getting too hot.
 - After simmering for about 5 minutes, add the remaining vegetables and tuna and stir through. Heat for another 5 minutes or until the vegetables and pasta are cooked to your liking.
 - Add pepper, sour cream, and stir through cheese, test taste.
 
Cooking tips:
- For a dairy free meal, swap sour cream with non-dairy milk and add 2 tablespoons tomato paste and use dairy free cheese. 
- Some broccoli stalks can have a woody outer layer, peel off this tough outer layer as you prepare the broccoli. 
- Top with fresh parsley if desired.
Adapt it:
- You can swap out the tuna for salmon, chicken, quorn or another plant-based protein substitute.
Kid friendly alternatives:
- Use animal shaped pasta for the fun factor
-  Frozen vege mixes can work well too. 
Leftover tips:
Eat for lunch the next day or freeze in portions to re-heat another day.